Has it already been a month?

I look at my newborn daughter and I am in utter awe. I can't believe that Amelia is a month old. Amazement fills me when I realize that I have successfully nursed her and that she is growing. It is weird knowing that Gavin at this point was failure to thrive and I had to suppliment, yet here I am feeding on demand and not worrying about making a bottle at 3am. However, next week I go back to work. I need to rent a pump and I am terrified that my supply will go down! I know I'll be fine.

Okay, so her one month appointment was today. She weighed in at 8 pounds 12 ounces, 20 1/2 inches tall. She has gained a pound in the last 3 weeks, right on schedule! woohoo mommies milk!!!! Here are some pics of her and Gavin taken today. He sure does love his little sister!!!!

Cloth Diapers

A bit before Mia was born I remember reading my sister Stacie's blog about cloth diapers. It got me thinking about my childhood. I remember vividly the bucket of diapers in the bathroom. My mother washed the diapers and folded them. The nostalgia of those memories filled me with a desire to go back to my childhood when Gavin was born. I HATED the bucket of bleach water in the bathroom. I HATED folding the diapers because I couldn't figure out how to do them. The pins had me on pins and needles. I know I stuck him at least once.

Interestingly enough, things are different with Mia. Stacie's blog got me thinking once again about trying. After speaking with my mother I learned that you don't need a bucket of bleach water in the bathroom. At least not while you are breastfeeding. Apparently breastfed babies poop just washes out in the wash. No need for bleach, which is harsh on tender bums.

Each time I put a cloth diaper on Mia I smile. It feels good not to be filling up my trash can with dirty diapers. Besides that the dog doesn't get into the trash and spread it through the entire house. Folding the pre-folded diapers (a life saver, no longer do I need a masters degree in diaper folding) gives me a sense of peace and calm. These cool little snappies that kind of grasp the cloth instead of pinning the baby soothes my soul. I just love cloth diapers.

Now if I can just get Scott feeling comfortable in putting the diapers on Mia. We got a goodly amount of disposable diapers from my baby shower. I am sure until they have been used Scott will continue to avoid the cloth ones. It is truly funny that a man that can figure out the intricacies of mechanics and electrical gadgets can't figure out to put a diaper on an 8 pound little girl!

Cribs and cradles

I remember as a little little girl of about 3 looking at my new sister Joan in a cradle. The next thing I'm not sure if it is a memory of my mind or a memory learned from hearing it over and over. Stacie picked Joan up out of the crib by her neck and brought her to our mom.

Well, tonight I was cleaning a sippy cup for Gavin in preperation of our night time routine. I had put Mia in her crib to keep her safe from her older brother. He either sits on her, hits her, or wants to hold her. Because of this I try to keep her out of his reach. She had been quietly taking her binky, but she started to cry. I saw Gavin leave the kitchen. I finished getting his sippy cup ready. When I walked into the bedroom I gasped. Gavin had climbed into the crib (he had NEVER up until THIS moment done so before. I didn't know he could do it!!!!) and was holding his sister in his clumsy 2 year old way. It was adorable, but made my heart stop. I guess Gavin and Mia won't be sharing a room. He just won't leave her be. Now we have to figure out how to keep Gavin safe from climbing up Donovan's bed and falling and breaking his neck!

Announcing Amelia Larkann Elias

On Tuesday, just as scheduled, Grandpa Dick got a wonderful birthday gift at 8:10 am. Mia came in weighing a total of 8 pounds 3 ounces. She was 19 and 3/4 inches tall. Mia did wonderful, however momma struggled a bit. They game me the spinal tap and laid me down. The nurse immediately put me back up and said that I needed to be up because they gave me a "goodly amount for my weight". I could hear the anesthesiologist talking and apparently I didn't do very well. My blood pressure dropped low and my blood oxygen level was in the 80's. I had so hoped to breastfeed Mia immediately but it took over an hour to stabilize me. I finally was stable and began the process of bonding. I love my daughter! Donovan constantly wants to hold her, than again so does Gavin. The first time Gavin saw her he said "baby" and slapped her. Since then he has done very well and loves to give his sister kisses. He did freak out the first time he saw Mia breastfeed. He now comes up and says "boobies" each time with a bit of concern on his face. We are home and doing well, other than the bouts of tears. I get frustrated rather easily, but I know it is going to get better.

Well, here are some pictures that were proffessionally taken at the hospital hope you enjoy.